Microsoft’s “avoid ghetto” feature: patently absurd?

Sure, we’ve all relied on our GPS devices or smart-phone maps to navigate through — and altogether avoid — certain parts of town. Tech circles have been chattering lately about this new Microsoft “avoid ghetto” patent that helps you avoid less desirable areas of cities.

Cnet writer Chris Matyszczyk‘s nice take on the patent raises some good questions, like: What crime statistics are used by Microsoft’s GPS feature to determine the safest directions?

So what do you think? Would you find an “avoid ghetto” GPS feature helpful?